AWKA, Nigeria — The Anambra State Government has reiterated its ban on graduation ceremonies for nursery, primary and junior secondary school pupils, while also reinforcing existing regulations governing the use and replacement of textbooks in schools across the state.
The directive comes ahead of the closure of schools for the third term, with education authorities warning that compliance with the government’s policies will be closely monitored.
In a memorandum signed by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua, school proprietors and administrators were reminded that graduation ceremonies for nursery, primary and junior secondary school pupils remain prohibited throughout the state.
The government said the policy forms part of broader efforts to reduce unnecessary financial burdens on parents and make education more affordable for families.
The commissioner also reaffirmed the state’s position on the use of textbooks in schools.
Under the directive, schools are prohibited from introducing textbooks that cannot be reused by subsequent learners.
School managers were further reminded that no changes to approved textbooks can be made without prior approval from the Anambra State Ministry of Education.
According to the government, the measures are in line with Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s education policy, which seeks to eliminate avoidable expenses that place additional financial pressure on parents.
Officials said the administration is committed to ensuring that the cost of education remains within the reach of families while maintaining acceptable standards across the education sector.
The government noted that pupils attending public schools in Anambra currently benefit from free education, adding that policies aimed at reducing unnecessary charges are intended to prevent financial exploitation of parents across both public and private schools.
Authorities said the directives also support the governor’s broader education reform agenda, which places emphasis on quality assurance, standardisation and improved learning outcomes throughout the state’s education system.
The administration has repeatedly stated that education remains a key pillar of its development strategy and has pledged to strengthen standards in both public and private educational institutions.
Officials say the policy seeks to promote greater uniformity in teaching practices, learning materials and overall educational experiences for students regardless of the type of school they attend.
As schools prepare to close for the third term, the Ministry of Education said it will monitor compliance with the directives and ensure that schools adhere to the government’s established policies on graduation ceremonies, textbook usage and other educational standards.
The government urged school administrators to comply fully with the regulations, saying the measures are intended to promote affordable, accessible and quality education for all learners across Anambra State.
